civilians targeted on u.s. soil during the annual marathon, two bombs explode during the city's signature event shattering lives forever. listen to the initial police call. >> we report two explosions here. we have people with serious injuries. several explosions. we have multicasualty incident here. serious injuries. good morning, this is a special edition of ear dye today. i'm mara schiavocampo. the city of boston remains on edge this morning after a day of celebration was hit by terror. two deafening bombs detonating seconds apart as runners crossed

the finish line at the boston marathon. police describe it as small improvised devices but had a huge impact. this morning three people are confirmed dead including an 8-year-old boy. at least 140 were wounded and being treated at nine boston area hospitals for injuries ranging in severity from cuts and bruises to limb damage resulting in amputations. doctors gave a late update overnight. >> there's a variety of injuries, probably the most common serious injuries are combined lower extremity injuries, bone injuries, soft tissues and vascular injuries. many shrapnel injuries. shrapnel injuries can affect the entire body. >> the chaos began just before 3:00 p.m. when the two explosions hit on boylston

street. shortly after 6:00 p.m. president obama addressed the nation from the white house press briefing room. >> any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice. the fbi is now in charge of this investigation and the white house has directed the agency to treat it as an act of terrorism. there haven't been any arrests but there are reports law enforcement officials have excessed interest in a man seen leaving the scene in dark clothing and there's word this morning a search warrant has been executed in a boston suburb. we go to boston now for the latest. chris, what can you tell us about the investigation? >> reporter: good morning. we're following several leads in regards to this investigation. first of all, the area around boston's copley plaza has been shut off. it's considered an active crime scene and police are busy

combing that area for any clues they can find about yesterday's blast. you mentioned this search warrant. it was executed by local police starting around 5:00 yesterday evening. police spent more than seven hours at an apartment complex nearby. police were seen taking out what was believed to be evidence bags to a car. they were also seen questioning a couple of people in that apartment complex but did not appear police left with anybody in custody. we've also been told that police spent some time questioning a person who was injured in one of the blasts at a nearby hospital. we were told that they were speaking with this gentleman as a possible suspect, a person of interest but later police said that that person was need ear suspect nor a person of interest. so several leads in this case that are being followed. we continue to watch it. >> thanks so much for that report. nbc's ron allen is also in

boston. he's at mass general hospital where many of the injured are being treated. ron, good morning. we heard over 100 people have been injured in this attack. we heard some injuries were so serious they are resulting in limb amputations. what can you tell us about the range of injuries. >> reporter: there are about 30 people roughly who were taken to various hospitals across boston in very serious condition. here at mass general doctors said there were eight people who were in critical condition and were still undergoing surgery and will begin under going multiple surgeries before their conditions can be ascertained. there's a lot of people here with horrific injuries and still unclear whether they will make it or not. the death toll could increase but at this point it's still at three. another problem here, all the patients who were brought in have not necessarily been

identified. some were unconscious. families were separated. some were taken to this hospital, some to others. earlier in the day there were relatives trying to find their loved ones. that situation will be resolved today. >> ron allen live at mass general in boston. later on we'll provide a way for people to find loved ones. people at the scene of the explosions are speaking out about what they saw. one witness said he could feel the explosions from his feet to his chest. a photographer on the scene shared his story with brian williams. he was half a block away when he heard the explosion. >> it was one of the cameron diazy -- craziest scenes i've ever scene. most people were running away. ems was running towards the scene. nobody knew what to do or what was happening. everybody was in fear. >> this is like a bomb explosion that we hear about in the news

in baghdad or israel or some other tragic place in the world. >> it went off and me and him -- we're rooting on our friend and then boom. both of us, we've been to afghanistan you expect that there. i didn't expect that here. everyone started screaming and running towards us. what's going on. >> first explosion happened a block further down from us and the second one was right across the street from us. it was loud. it was really, really loud and people just -- chaos every where. >> families around us with kids and yelling and screaming and we just wanted to try to get away as wick as possible. harrowing accounts. coming up president obama says those responsible for the marathon bombings will feel the full weight of justice. we'll have a full report from washington. you may be waking up to a heightened state of security where you live. why are so many cities stepping

up their protections. you're watching a special edition of "early today." >>. >> announcer: "early today" is brought to you by advil. make the switch to advil now.

. flags are flying at half-staff in washington as lawmakers on capitol hill amend their schedules in response to what some are calling an act of terror. today members of the intelligence committee will be briefed by homeland security and the fbi on explosions at the boston march on the. nbc's tracie potts is live in washington with more. >> reporter: good morning. right after this happened capitol police went into action. they are warning visitors to the capitol complex to expect more police presence, visible presence today. as you noted some lawmakers have already been briefed, others get more details on this

investigation today. >> the house will now observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of today's attack in boston. >> reporter: congress observing a moment of silence for boston's victims. this morning the capitol flag remains at half-staff. later today the fbi, homeland security and intelligence officials brief lawmakers on what they know about the explosion. >> the most important thing we do it right. >> reporter: lawmakers were quick to call it an act of terror but the president did not. >> we'll find out who did this. and we will hold them accountable. >> reporter: there's a security perimeter around the white house and more security throughout the city this morning at airports and metro station. but d.c. officials say the parade, concert and fireworks for today's emancipation celebration will go on. >> i want people to feel comfortable. come down to the event and enjoy

yourself. >> reporter: d.c. on high alert as washington tries to pin down the nature of the attack. also from washington and this is important to people in the boston area the irs is telling them don't worry if you missed the tax deadline if you're in the boston area. they will get an extension and the irs plans to make an announcement. >> good information to have. thanks. nervous investors will be looking for fallout over the bombings and keeping an eye on the investigation in boston. stocks posted their biggest one day drop the year on monday and the selloff continued overseas this morning. weak economic data out of china sparked monday's fall and later bombings in boston drove up investors fears. expect to see police and military presence ramped up at travel hubs in major cities across the country. in boston the governor said the city is open but will not be business as usual. thanks to marathon runners who ran straight to the city's

hospitals to donate blood massachusetts general met all of its blood needs for yesterday but encouraging more donations beginning at 7:30 this morning. >> announcer: "early today" health is brought to you by vagisil. >> coming up after the break what can authorities do to keep the public safe at major gatherings. plus the chilling 911 phone calls as they came into police moments after the first fireball erupted on the sidewalk in boston. this is "early today."

in the wake of the boston bombings federal investigators are on the ground combing through evidence to learn more about the explosive device and to learn who was behind take. terrorism experts have been warning of an attack like this. warning about a soft target. >> reporter: in the immediate aftermath of the explosion police are searching for the answer to the obvious question, who is responsible? this from the boston police commissioner. >> if anybody knows of any information that could lead to the arrest or prosecution of the

individuals responsible for this, they should call us. >> reporter: according to law enforcement source there were two bombs possibly in backpacks which were also loaded with metal objects designed to kill and maim. at first the police commissioner reported another bomb had exploded at the jfk library. >> third one occurred at jfk about a half hour ago. route but it turned out to be an unrelated fire. according to intelligence sources there was no online chatter previous to the bombings. >> we have no information that this was going to happen. >> reporter: a white house official called the bombing an act of terrorism. here's what counterterrorism experts are telling us is likely happening in the investigation right now. surveillance video from the numerous cams a in the area success downloaded and reviewed and the bomb material that was recovered is being carefully gathered and undergoing forensic analysis. but there's something else that will no doubt need to be investigated in the days ahead.

how was someone able to plant and detonate explosive devices with all those surveillance cameras, thousands of eyewitnesses and plenty of law enforcement? this man says it's easier than you might think. >> in an open society like the united states, we are vulnerable. >> reporter: sean henry is the former executive assistant director of the fbi and is now president of a cyber security company called crowd strike. he says the boston marathon is an event that experts call a soft target. >> it would appear this particular type of event would be considered a soft target compared to an airport or major government building because of how large it is and how many people would attend it would certainly be more difficult to protect than a building or something of that nature. >> that was nbc's chris hansen reporting. the boston marathon holds

special meaning for some runners from newtown, connecticut. the number 26 marked the victims. the marathon was supposed to be a healing event but now she says it's violence has instead opened up old wounds. emergency calls reveal more this morning about the panic in boston right after those explosions, first responders didn't know what to expect, how many people were actually injured and were more explosions on the way? >> as you know many casualties, just be careful of a secondary device. this is serious. we have serious injuries. >> all companies be very careful of secondary devices. we have very serious injuries. careful of secondary device. very serious injuries. reaction to monday's bombings spread well beyond our

borders. we'll have more on that. plus the very latest on the investigation into this act of terror. we'll be right back.

as the investigation continues into yesterday's tragedy in boston the fallout is being felt around the world today.

for details we go to london. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. needless to say the events in boston featured on front page of the newspapers across europe this morning. this is the irish times with a picture of the chaos in the moments after the attack and on the daily mail we have a picture of the explosion the moment the explosion happened and this is a picture on front page of most of the newspapers in britain this morning. attention here is turning to the london marathon due to take place this coming sunday. the minister has said this morning the best way to show solidarity with boston is to go ahead with this event. however, security will reviewed in light of what has happened. there's obviously extensive security program already in place but organizers say they cannot be complacent given what has happened. it's a big event just like boston, hundreds of thousands of people the line route which passes through most of london's

major landmarks not the 7,000 plus runners who take part in this marathon. for officials it's a big event to deal with this sunday. and the risk level in london is already classified as substantial. but so far no threats have been received relating to this event. thanks so much for that. right now let's take a moment to change gears and take a look at the weather with our own bill karins. good morning. >> good morning. severe weather is in the cards over the next couple of days. that's the biggest weather concern for anyone travel ago cross the country. we're watching already some strong thunderstorms overnight from areas north of st. louis through illinois and they are traveling now into indiana. a soaking rain across the ohio valley. later today all areas in yellow under a slight risk of weather, including wind damage threat of kentucky. hail in missouri. super cells in oklahoma or texas late this evening. tomorrow is the day that will be more dangerous. moderate risk already issued.

oklahoma city to tulsa area. if we get tornadoes possibly destructive tornadoes the best chance of that happening is tomorrow evening in that's a look at your national forecast. now here's a look at the weather outside your window. today the east coast is warming up and you're looking just fine. but as we go throughout the midwest that's where the stormy weather is and that's where it will stay. we had significant snow overnight in denver and continues today into wyoming. dangerous weather to watch in the days ahead. >> we'll keep an eye on that. >> i'm mara schiavocampo, and this is "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station.

more than 12 hours later, the latest and what could it all mean for us here in washington. good morning. >> welcome toness 4 today for this tuesday, april 16th. we are going to have team coverage. right now we are going to give you the latest. three now dead including an 8-year-old boy. more than 140 people are injured. at least two unexploded bombs

were disarmed. so far, no person or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. you will likely notice a difference as you make your way to work. officers are making their presence felt. >> we do have a plan that we have in place to enhance things around the city. until we have information that we are comfortable that there is a threat to dc. >> give yourself extra time. random bag checks are expected throughout the system. >> this morning we are hearing from local runners from a

marathon. more than two dozen members ran in the race. a doctoren that group performed cpr on another runner. we caught up with some of the group's other members and they say boston looked leak a war zone. >> initially i said this can't be a bomb. 15 seconds later, when the second bomb went off, we knew this was for real. en all, more than 1200 people from washington, maryland and jengin ran in the mayor thon. the parade will go on as scheduled. look here, you can expect tight security today. the parade begins at 11:00 on pennsylvania avenue. kirk franklin will perform on

freedom plaza. let's get a forecast good morning. >> good morning, we have low cloudiness over the region. we ought to get sunshine breaking out by later in the day. temperatures are in the 50s most of the region from the mountains to the beaches. we will stay in the 50s here. by ten into the low 60s. little sunshine breaking up. the sunrise is at 6:30. i'll be back with a look at the rest of the day. good morning. >> dgood morning, tom. if you are traveling in the northwest expect closures around